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EAST FORTUNE – JIM SILVER TROPHY AND SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP
We didn’t go to the North East Club meeting at Knockhill so we nearly a month to get the seals fixed in the master cylinder and the fairing bracket sorted. Kerr had acquired two seal kits from AP Lockhead and another master cylinder and lever off the trusty Ebay. We also took the opportunity to turn the brake bells. The master cylinder was the easy bit; the fairing bracket took a bit more thought as it was snapped inside a strengthening brace within the fairing.
The final cunning plan was to drop a threaded rod right through from slightly behind Kerr’s elbow rest down through the bracket and fashion a nut on the end that would let it still drop into its socket.
The forecast for the weekend wasn’t encouraging – torrential rain until Sunday afternoon – so we set off down the road wondering if we were going to get out at all. The journey down was the busiest yet, hitting traffic at Bankfoot, Perth, Forth Road Bridge and the Edinburgh bypass. We finally hit East Fortune and parked up in our spot in the middle of the paddock. There was no sign of rain so we got the awning set up no problem.
On Saturday morning the rain started. We were about to go out for a warm up when the heavens opened a quick look at the clouds confirmed that it wasn’t going to pass. The boys quickly changed the tyres to wets. We jumped in and got called to the holding area only to be sent back as the rain got heavier. There wasn’t much chance to bed the brakes in just running up and down the paddock. They called an early lunch and by the time this had passed the weather had almost cleared. We got a damp warm up and dry qualifying.
The first race was to be the Jim Silver Memorial race and we got a chance to catch up with Davie Silver and his mother at lunchtime. We qualified in 7th on the third row between Davie Annan and Michael Bell. The race was a blinder. Kerr put in a 1m 07.679s lap yet another second a lap quicker. Jen on the other hand found the pace a bit hairy with confidence still knocked from the previous outing. We led Davie Annan and Grant Hunter for a few laps but he passed into the hairpin and stretched a lead. Trying to close the gap Kerr spun again at the hairpin and the outfit was a little frisky to get back on the tarmac. Just as we go back in control we were passed into the chicane by bill and Graeme Davie and the race was over.
The second race was a slightly more reserved back to 1m 09.608s with no Davie Annan to chase. Jen took the opportunity to concentrate on getting her moves right and felt a bit better for it. It turned out the clutch was slipping and would need sorted that night. Fortunately we always carry a spare engine and robbed the clutch out of it to get ready for Sunday.
Rhys, Martin and Neil heads down - clutch to be changed!
Rhys, Martin and Neil - easily interupted!!
On Saturday night the wind got up and the lorry rocked and rolled all night. Sunday morning was damp and just as we were about to get out the heavens opened. The Melville club called another early lunch to let the weather clear. It was a good call and we ended up getting dry racing.
In between we were scheduled to do ‘Be A Passenger’ rides. It was still a bit wet but over 20 people were dressed in leathers and ready to go. Neil, Rhys and Stuart all had a go as did Wendy Glass who has written a few articles about Douglas Racing for Digby Brown. Everyone loved it even though it was a bit damp.
The first race was for the Scottish Championship points. Kerr got a good start and kept in front of Davie for a few laps. Then we were passed not only by Davie Annan and Grant Hunter but also Colin Riddell and John McCartney with their newly refreshed and flying engine. We weren’t happy with the result even though we were still up on our pace at 1m 07s. In between races Kerr decided that it would be a good idea to cut some holes in the fairing behind his seat to let some more air into the airbox. Three holes were duly drilled.
The second race was quite exciting. First start and we shot off the line like a rocket straight into third place. The exit from the line was not as straight forward for some others however. Gordon Shand stalled on the line and his passenger Aaron jumped up with his hand in the air to warn the rest of the grid. Colin Riddell and John McCartney unfortunately didn’t quite manage evasive action and rolled their outfit leading to a red flag situation.
We got another warm up lap and restart. We got another blistering start off the line past the Kershaw outfit and Davie Annan. Davie managed to get by and stretched another lead for a couple of laps before he seemed to tire and we caught him up more and more as each lap went in. By the last lap flag we were on him from the last hairpin to the chicane we were literally on his rear wheel. There was only 0.3s between us.
It was an early finish and we were packed up and on the road by five. A much better run home with no jams and no roadworks at Bankfoot – hooray! Next stop Knockhill on 28/29th August.
Thanks to Carol for endless catering, Rhys, Martin, Neil and Stuart for all you help.
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